Conveniently Wed to a Spy by Helen Dickson

Author:Helen Dickson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-12-10T18:40:12+00:00

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Delphine had ridden this way so often in the past that she knew when they were approaching Pendene. There was the tall gatehouse and between an avenue of tall trees stood Pendene itself. There was a beautiful house beneath the monstrous tangle of ivy and other creepers clinging to the walls and the entrance portico, the paint flaking from the casement windows and doors. All manner of vegetation filled the gardens and weeds sprouted from the cracks in the stone walls.

‘Are you living here?’ Delphine enquired, unable to believe they would be able to find their way into the house through the creepers.

‘It may surprise you to know that, behind the overgrown façade, the house is habitable. The whole place needs money and more labour. It’s my inheritance and I’m supposed to make it pay. It’s inspired me and somehow I have to make it work.’

‘I can see there is a lot of work to be done.’

‘I came here as a child with my sisters. We loved it. When I arrived this time I felt some affection for the place. John McGuire and the labourers he hires when needed do a good job on the land, but the house has suffered—as you see. Come inside and I’ll show you round.’

The door opened easily and they stepped inside. Delphine was pleased to see the interior hadn’t suffered the ravages of the outside. With growing interest she began to look around. The honey-coloured oak-panelled hall was large with a carved oak staircase rising from the middle and family portraits littered the walls, reminding people that wealth had once been in the family. Through the open doors leading off from the hall she could see rooms with furniture covered over with protective sheets.

A woman appeared from somewhere, wiping her hands on her apron.

‘Ah, this is Milly, Delphine. John McGuire’s wife.’

Delphine smiled at the woman. ‘Milly and I are already acquainted, Laurence. You can’t live hereabouts without knowing all your neighbours. Hello, Milly. Forgive me if I appear surprised to find you here.’

‘She’s very kindly come to help out and, if we ask her nicely, she may get us a cup of tea—which, I expect, will have come from one of John’s expeditions to Guernsey.’

Milly winked at Delphine. ‘He’s learning fast, this new Lord of the Manor.’

Delphine laughed. ‘He’ll have to if he is to live in Cornwall, Milly.’ She looked at Laurence. ‘It’s a trade everyone in the county is linked to in one way or another.’

‘I’ll get you some tea—and it may run to a piece of cake.’

Milly disappeared to the domestic quarters and, taking her arm, Laurence escorted Delphine into a sitting room. The room had been made habitable and, despite the warm summer day outside, a fire was burning in the grate, giving the room a warm pleasant feeling.

‘Well?’ Laurence said, watching Delphine for her reaction to the house. ‘What do you think? Will it do, do you think, for the new mistress of Pendene?’

Seating herself by the fire, Delphine smiled up at him.

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